For the Week of May 5, 2008

-Synod Assembly: The Nagging Reminders Commence!!
-Iringa Consultation
-Training the Trainer: An Opportunity for Children, Youth, and Family Ministers
-Around and About the Saint Paul Area Synod

Synod Assembly: The Nagging Commences!!!!
The Assembly Choir Returns! Come Raise the Strain!
The synod assembly choir returns this year by popular demand and overwhelming acclamation! John Helgen and Karen Wilkerson, synod assembly worship planners, have chosen three anthems "Clap Your Hands," "Christ Has Made the Sure Foundation," and "Seed That in Earth Is Dying" for this year's opening worship service on Friday, May 30, at 8:45 a.m., at Prince of Peace Lutheran, Burnsville. Voting members, advisors, visitors, and members of church choirs who just want to come, sing, and depart are invited to participate in this event. Please email John Helgen to let him know that you'd like to participate and to receive copies of the music in advance. Participants should plan to be present for a rehearsal beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Photo Directory of Rostered Leaders
Have you noticed that you don’t recognize as many rostered leaders as in the past? It’s understandable! Many new people have been called to congregations and places of specialized ministry throughout this synod since the last photo directory was prepared in 2003. Olan Mills will be on site to take photos at no cost, and a new directory will be available in the fall. Please remember to have your photo taken May 30-31.

Sending Video: The World Is About to Turn...for God Has Done Great Things
How do you see that the world is about to turn? Where in your life, your congregation, your community, or the world is God at work, shaping, sculpting, and transforming the world? Think about this question...because on Friday, May 30, a film crew will be asking this question to an array of voting members in order to prepare a final video to show as we prepare to send voting members out into the world following the conclusion of the assembly on Saturday, May 31.

Volunteers
Are you an introvert who needs a job to do in order to be comfortable at events with lots of people? Do you have trouble sitting still during meetings? Are you looking to add steps to your Board of Pensions pedometer? If you answered yes to any of these, volunteer at the synod assembly! We need help with hospitality, registration, and pages, to name a few things. Email Beth Helgen if you'd like to volunteer. We'll be finalizing volunteer lists in the next two weeks.

Synod Assembly Offering: Crossing Bridges Mission Appeal
An offering envelope was included in the pre-assembly report mailed last week to voting members and advisors. Offering received during the opening worship will be used to support the Crossing Bridges mission appeal. If your congregation has not yet participated in this synod-wide effort, please take advantage of this opportunity to participate by bringing an offering to the assembly.

Iringa Consultation
Building a Vision for Bega Kwa Bega
More than 140 people representing 52 congregations as well as the St. Paul Partners, Micro Finance, Bomo Secondary School, Ilula Health Center, IMAGE Project, and the Ag Institute attended an all-day strategic planning session on May 3 at Incarnation Lutheran, Shoreview. The group focused on building a vision for Bega Kwa Bega for 2015 and on infrastructure options to support that vision. A final report summarizing the meeting will be compiled and will be available on the synod website. Watch for an announcement. Many thanks to all those who devoted an entire day to this very important matter!

For Children, Youth, and Family Ministers
Training the Trainer: Safeguarding God’s Children
Rostered leaders and those who work in children, youth, and family ministries have the responsibility to ensure that the youngest among us are allowed to learn and grow in an environment free from sexual abuse. A workshop for rostered and lay children, youth, and family ministers to raise awareness of child sexual abuse will be held May 22, 8:45 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Woodlake Lutheran, Richfield. This interactive workshop will train participants to facilitate events to raise awareness of child sexual abuse and consider ways to create the safe spaces needed; prepare participants to offer training about child sexual abuse prevention to volunteers in their congregations; and provide participants with the opportunity to develop materials and create workshop presentations for their own settings. The workshop leader is the Rev. Karen Stevensen. Completion of the entire workshop will enable participants to use the Safeguarding God’s children presentation materials in their own training sessions. The registration fee is $35. The registration deadline is May 16. Email Cyndi Berg or call  651.224.4313 for information.

Events Around and About the Saint Paul Area Synod
Rummage Sales
May 5, 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., May 6, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., St. Mark Lutheran,
550 West 7th Street, St. Paul.  Bag sale, May 6: $3 to fill a bag. For information, call 651.224.0228.

May 9, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and May 10, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Resurrection Lutheran Church, 9925 Bailey Road, Woodbury. Mega sale in conjunction with the annual Woodbury Lions Club garage sales. For information, call 651.730.1000.

Aging Splendidly!
May 8, 12:00 noon, Immanuel Lutheran, 104 Snelling Ave. So., St. Paul. Featuring “Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing,” presented by Sgt. Pamela McCreary, crime victim coordinator, St. Paul Police Department. Call 651.699.5560 for information.

Spring Fest and Flower Sale
May 10, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran parking lot, 104 Snelling Ave. So., St. Paul. Call 651.699.5560 for information.